Hard blow dealt toe businesses storing illegal goods
In a significant breakthrough, six store managers were arrested by the Operation Vala uMgodi team during a second-hand goods compliance inspection in the Free State.
They were arrested during an operation that was executed at trading areas in Koppie Alleen Road, Mooi Street, and Jan Hofmeyer Road on 6 May.
The police confiscation various contraband goods including illicit cigarettes and prohibited medicinal products. Different cigarette brands such as Blue Chief, Remington Gold, Savanah Green, Boss, Sahawi, Ossam; and hubbly flavors such as Afzal mint, F1, VIP and Sniper were found inside supermarkets and storage houses.
In addition, medical products such as Betasol, Beneks, Diproson, Epiderm, Tummeric essential oils, Coco pulp cream, and Caro cream were confiscated. The total sales value of the products seized is estimated at R235 855.
Case dockets for possession of illicit cigarettes and contravention of the Medicine Act were opened at the Welkom Police Station.
The arrested managers hail from Bangladesh and Ethiopia, and are aged between 30 and 51 years.
On 5 May, two suspects were arrested for possession of unwrought precious metals and gold-bearing material.
The proactive team arrested the suspects in Allanridge during illicit mining disruptive policing actions. Two men were found in possession of processed gold nuggets weighing at 1,86kg in the Matlharangtlheng Informal Settlement, Allanridge. Various items and tools used in illegal mining were confiscated. This included gas bottles, a regulator with nozzle, and a crucible cup containing the amalgam was also seized by the police. A case docket of contravention of the Precious Metals Act was opened at the Allanridge Police Station.
More operational concepts were executed in illicit mining hotspot areas such as the Kudu Old Mine in Odendaalsrus, Old V1 Shaft in Virginia, Western Holdings 05 Old Shaft in Welkom, and Thabong 2010 Informal Settlement where nine suspects were found busy with illegal mining activities. The police seized gold-bearing material weighing at 147,36kg and gold-processing equipment including gas bottles and industrial oxygen cylinders.
Case dockets of possession of suspected gold-bearing material and gold-processing equipment, trespassing on mine area, and contravention of the Immigration Act were opened at different stations.
Good partnership between the police and private security companies led to the arrest of five mine employees for conspiracy to commit crime: assisting illegal miners, contravention of the Mine Health and Safety Act, and money laundering. Contraband foodstuffs such as beef soup powder, chicken soup powder, instant porridge, energy powder drinks, peanuts and raisins to the value of R18 000 were intercepted and confiscated”
Lt. Col Thabo Covane, spokesperson for the Free State police.
“Good partnership between the police and private security companies led to the arrest of five mine employees for conspiracy to commit crime: assisting illegal miners, contravention of the Mine Health and Safety Act, and money laundering. Contraband foodstuffs such as beef soup powder, chicken soup powder, instant porridge, energy powder drinks, peanuts and raisins to the value of R18 000 were intercepted and confiscated,” says Lt. Col Thabo Covane, spokesperson for the Free State police.
